Splinter group of the Aborigines’ Protection Society, the ESL was formed in 1843 to study races sympathetically, publishing four volumes of a Journal (which ceased publication in 1854) and seven volumes of Transactions (1861-). Founded by Thomas Hodgkin (1798-1866), its president from 1847 to 1848 was J. C. Prichard. It was from the ESL that the Anthropological Society of London was formed.